GT2550 anyone fab add on headlights?

Lead-Cons · Aug 8, 2014

Hi all

Just picked up a second low-hour GT2550. This one too has non-operable head lights. I want to replace the poorly designed candle light powered units with something more useful.

Has anyone ever done a DIY add-on set of lights for the GT2550?

Thanks in advance.

Tom

rau2009sch · Aug 10, 2014

Not yet but I sure want to. I did replace some old lights on my old Troy-Bilt with some LED lights from eBay, that work great. Had to fabricate a funny-looking cannister to hold them, but they really light up the night.
I would look for LED lights, there's many types out there.
best of luck.

ILLUMN8R · Aug 19, 2014

Lead-Cons said:
Hi all Just picked up a second low-hour GT2550. This one too has non-operable head lights. I want to replace the poorly designed candle light powered units with something more useful. Has anyone ever done a DIY add-on set of lights for the GT2550? Thanks in advance. Tom

Tom,

I have a 2011 GT2100 and the headlights on the newer Cubs are still sub standard or worse. I don't operate much after dark but when I do (usually pushing snow) it would be nice to have some decent light output. I am a lighting designer by trade and I know how a reflector should be designed and the bent foil that Cub uses is effectively ineffective. When I was showing an LED lamp to a customer for inside their elevator I noticed the base was a single contact bayonet and operated on 12V, same as my tractor. So I took a couple home to try, put them in and WOW, I must have 4X the light output I had with the factory lamps and because they are LED they will likely last longer than my tractor. I also installed a switch so they wouldn't be on all the time, it still baffles me that MTD had them direct wired to the key!? I would also like to take the advise of some others I've seen post and use silicone to help better seal the lenses. This was a major issue in the snow because snow would make it past the lens, make contact with the hot lamp & blow the bulb. I know your Cub is different but looking at photos of the GT2550 light assembly I think these LED lamps might work.
See photos of the upgrade, factory lamp, LED lamp, LED lamp on, LED lamp & box, switch location.

Lead-Cons · Aug 20, 2014

Hey....now this idea does have merit. Replacing the bulb...never thought of that. I had the idea of getting something like auto fog light and fabricating a mount.

Thank you sir...this is an excellent direction to look at!

Tom

tracter · Aug 23, 2014

ILLUMN8R said:
Tom,

I have a 2011 GT2100 and the headlights on the newer Cubs are still sub standard or worse. I don't operate much after dark but when I do (usually pushing snow) it would be nice to have some decent light output. I am a lighting designer by trade and I know how a reflector should be designed and the bent foil that Cub uses is effectively ineffective. When I was showing an LED lamp to a customer for inside their elevator I noticed the base was a single contact bayonet and operated on 12V, same as my tractor. So I took a couple home to try, put them in and WOW, I must have 4X the light output I had with the factory lamps and because they are LED they will likely last longer than my tractor. I also installed a switch so they wouldn't be on all the time, it still baffles me that MTD had them direct wired to the key!? I would also like to take the advise of some others I've seen post and use silicone to help better seal the lenses. This was a major issue in the snow because snow would make it past the lens, make contact with the hot lamp & blow the bulb. I know your Cub is different but looking at photos of the GT2550 light assembly I think these LED lamps might work.
See photos of the upgrade, factory lamp, LED lamp, LED lamp on, LED lamp & box, switch location.

Hi
Do you post to Australia , have never seen that kind of bulb
Regards

ILLUMN8R · Aug 25, 2014

tracter said:
Hi Do you post to Australia , have never seen that kind of bulb Regards

Just take a look at the photo I posted with the LED lamp box & google the model number LE2W1383 & you should see several places to purchase on line. The lamp will operate on 12 volts and either AC or DC. Hope it works for you guys as well as it did for me!

tracter · Aug 26, 2014

Thanks mate , will do , never heard of elevator lights before , you learn something new every day
Regards
Tracter

mowcub · Dec 29, 2014

I know this is an old thread, but I was just catching up. I too was very disappointed in the headlights on my GT2550. First I added a switch and modified the lens where I could easily clean it, but that still did not improve the dim lighting. So I bought a set of inexpensive driving lights (not fog lights) from Advance Auto. I used the original wires but changed the connectors and wired them through a separate fuse and relay. I mounted them directly on the hood light cavity and just removed the mylar reflector and OEM lens. It looks a little alien, but the light is about 10X better.